Jessi’s AP Blog

When a child is born into an Igbo family it is looked different upon the mother and father. If the child is a boy than to the father is means he will live his father’s legacy and carry on his family in a masculine manner. To the mother it means happiness to the husband since it is a boy, strong defense for the family and that nothing can uproot the family. If a girl is born the family she doesn’t mean as much to the family, sadly. It brings sadness to the men because she can not carry on the legend of the family because she will soon marry to other men. But, to the women she is a companonship and someone she can relate to and teach what she has been taught. As the children grow then are precived differently upon society as raised by traditional Igbo culture. Men see themselves as individuals, important, dependable, and strong and women see themselves as living under the man, almost servents. The men and women not only look at themselves differently, but society’s expectations as a whole depend soley on your gender roles.

In the Igbo culture men and women are complete oppostites. In aspects of family men or fathers raise their boys to be bold, courageous, fearless men and woman or mothers raise their girls to be soft, gentle and weak. Men and women are not on the same level. Men are looked up to and women are looked down apon. Although, both of their contributions to the family are equal when it comes to providing for the family. For Example, women do work around the house, cleaning, sweeping the floors, and cooking. The men on the other hand do the tough jobs such as splitting wood,  pound= the yam foofoo and climb the palm trees. Though the mens work may seem harder, the women are doing just as much and providing for the family in the same ways just with different duties. It is a shame that the family has to be sperated in this way just based on their expected geralized roles. Without these roles the familes of the Igbo tribal culture may be more unified.

What are the generalized roles and functions in an traditional igbo family?

Every member of the igbo family has their own specific roles that are based off their rank in the family such as the father, mother, son or daughter. The role a family member plays is more of an expection brought by the igbo culture. Each person in the family should abid by their own roles and that contribution will make a working family. Without each role the family will can not function and won’t be complete. Though, each role is very important when providing for the family and each member is needed. The roles are set in stone and very rarely change upon the culture’s expectations.  Basically, the men are brought on to be masculine and the women to be femaine, nothing in between.

A. In this chapter “things are still falling apart”. The missionaries had arrived and it became the talk of the town. Instantly, there was a spark between the village and the white man as his dialect was very amusing to the people of the village. Nwoye had become interested in the missionaries message and he felt he belonged in their religion.

B. hymn- A song or ode in praise or honor of God, a deity, a nation, etc.

rollicking- Carefree and joyous.

enthralled- To hold spellbound; captivate.

C. Does Okonkwo have any idea about Nwoye wanting to become a Christian? Where did the missionaries come from? What does Obierika thinking about Nwoyes beliefs?

What are locusts?

Locust: Any of numerous grasshoppers of the family Acrididae, often migrating in immense swarms that devour vegetation and crops.

In chapter 7, the locusts descend and men, women and children are overly joyed about this occurrence. Since they have not appeared for many years, only the older generation has had a chance to experience this exotic sight. The people within Umuofia hoped the locusts would settle for the night and they did on every tree and blade of grass. They would then eat this rare delicousy the next morning with solid palm-oil.

What are harbingers?

Harbingers: One that indicates or foreshadows what is to come; a forerunner.

What is the harmattan season?

The harmattan season is a dry, parching land breeze, charged with dust on the west coast of Africa.

Why does the new religion appeal to Nwoye?

I believe that the religion of Christianity appeals to Nwoye to be “someone.” Nwoye grew up by his fathers side and under his wing. His father wants him to be strong, independent, powerful man. All he knows his what his father has taught him growing up and their own cultural beliefs. This relates to “cultural myths” because it is known that men should be masculine according society. But, in some circumstances this isn’t true and Nwoye doesn’t want to be masculine like his father, he wants to be different and live his own life.
 

Chapter 13

A. The clan had a funeral for the “great man” Ezeudu. Ezeudu was the oldest man of the village who was involved in the death of Ikemefuna. He had three titles which was above expectations and was a great achievement since there were only four titles in the clan. But, during the dancing of the funeral, Okonkwo’s gun all of a sudden shot through the boy’s heart. Okonkwo’s consequences were to be sent to his Mbanta for seven years.

B. Tumlut: violent and noisy commotion or disturbance of a crowd or mob.
Tenfold: comprising ten parts or members.
Esoteric: understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest.

C. How did Okonkwo’s gun just acciently shoot the boy? Why did he have to move away for seven years? Was Ezeudu’s death foreshawdoing Ikemefuna’s death?

“Igbo” Person

“Igbo” Land is located in western Africa, especially in Southeastern Nigera, south of Abuja and at the lower area where the Nigera and Benue River meet.

“Igbo people usually have very extended families; it is a part of them as a people.” (VanderSluis par. 4)

 With such a vast population growing to about thirty million people , the Igbo homelands are one of the most densly populatated areas in Africa. With such a broad spectrum Igbo peoples’ families are getting seperated with the need of families moving. Thus, the close knitted families are encouraged to return back home to where they have originated, since most family members have moved away. They are driving them to move back with their families to continue their place in history. But, with their distinct language and culture they rapidly grow in numbers, while families are being reunited.

Bomor, Cynthia, and Basil Akalonu. “Igbo Cultural Association of Calgary.” About Us. 3 Oct. 2008 http://www.igbocalgary.ca/images/map_of_nigeria.gif.

VanderSluis, Matt. “Igbo People.” Igbo People. 3 Oct. 2008 http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/cultural/oldworld/africa/igbo.html.

“Welcome to Village of Umuofia.” An Interactive Learning Environment. 3 Oct. 2008 http://www.literaryworlds.wmich.edu/umuofia/images/ibosculpture.jpg.